It was in 1997 that the Singapore government first mooted the idea of a third university for Singapore. Then Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tony Tan believed that the new university should be different from the two established institutions - the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The government wanted SMU to be an experiment in diversity.
Home to around 10,000 undergraduates and postgraduates, SMU comprises six schools:
SMU offers a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with the six schools, as well as in interdisciplinary combinations of these areas.
SMU has an emphasis on generating rigorous, high-impact, and relevant multi-disciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance, SMU faculty collaborate with leading international researchers and universities from USA, Europe, China and India as well as with partners in the business community and public sector, through its research institutes, centres and labs.
The Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC) works with students to map out career preparation and management strategies. Through internships and a comprehensive range of training programmes, we help students make informed decision as well as maximise their employment opportunities.
In addition, we provide students with the finishing touches to the whole preparatory process through internship programme and career skills, so that they can make informed choices and maximise their employment opportunities.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Climbed 100 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 585 | 511 | 411 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 20 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 577 | 616 | 596 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
SMU Prinsep Street Residences (PSR) is an innovative communal living concept for young studying adults - our answer to the millennial’s desire for open spaces of living and interaction.
PSR has 23 fully-furnished, modern apartments spread across three interconnected blocks in a lush green setting that can house up to 255 students.
Each brightly painted, 12-bedded apartment comes with a suite of amenities - including personal wardrobes, private study desks and air-conditioning, while common recreational facilities and 24-hour security ensure that students live, learn, work and play, in the comfort of their second homes right in the heart of the city.
Central to SMU’s city campus, SMU Libraries are places of discovery and are active environments that inspire and educate. The Libraries contribute to the research, teaching, and learning needs of the SMU community through two physical libraries, Li Ka Shing Library and Kwa Geok Choo Law Library and via digital services.
The Mrs Wong Kwok Leong Student Wellness Centre puts students in touch with professionals offering counselling and other support services and programmes that promote intellectual and emotional wellbeing. It provides a safe space for students who require a reprieve from the rigours of academic life through its facilities: The Counselling Place and The Cosy Haven.
The SMU campus is the first of its kind – designed, integrated and constructed in the heart of a fully developed cityscape.Purpose-built over 4.5 hectares of prime Singapore land, the SMU campus is surrounded by museums, theatres, educational institutions, art galleries, cafés, restaurants and a range of retail outlets.The campus comprises seven buildings – the Administration Building, the Li Ka Shing Library and five buildings to house the six schools. The buildings between Bras Basah and Stamford Roads are fringed by heritage trees, with the centralized park landscape of Campus Green, and glazed facades shaded by a veil of plants at each story.
Modern arts and sports facilities are available for booking by the CCAs and students. These facilities are for the exclusive use of SMU matriculated students, exchange students, bridging students as well as staff and faculty. Most arts and sports facilities are located at the SMU basement concourse, with the exception of the swimming pool and sports hall, which are located at the SMU Administration Building. SMU also has a running track located at Campus Green, which is open to public.
Based on 23 reviews
Happy to attend SMU! We are having many real-life cases involved in our teaching from the professors. The campus has many facilities and areas to socialise, study, eat and explore new cultures and events.
It's a university located in the city center. Even if you get bored of the food options on campus, there are always more options nearby the campus. Co-curricular activities are diverse with multiple campus events for students to participate in throughout the year. The only thing is there is intense class participation that is graded (that's why it's intense) which makes it difficult for introverts like me. Although some professors grade class participation through your participation in in-class quizzes.
Administration staff treats students very poorly and communication is -10/10. Utterly disappointed with the service. They are unreliable and I have personal experiences of my urgent important requests being ignored which affects my academic and professional life.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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